Fly-tippers face new punishments in £45 million crackdown
Under the new Waste Crime Action Plan, illegal dumpers could face up to 20 hours of unpaid work cleaning streets and parks, as well as repaying the cost of clearing the waste they illegally dumped.
The government and Environment Agency (EA) are set to unveil a sweeping package of measures targeting illegal dumping, with fresh punishments for offenders.
In a bid to stamp out offending, the EA will also increase its on-the-ground activity against waste criminals, backed by an additional £45 million from the government over the next three years.
Targeting worst illegal waste sites
The government will directly fund the clean-up of some of the worst illegal waste sites in the country, including in Wigan, Sheffield, and Lancashire, where a combined 48,000 tonnes of waste has been illegally dumped.
The EA has already conducted assessments of these sites, with further action to come. Ministers will also introduce a Landfill Tax rebate for local authorities that step up to clear sites, easing financial pressures on authorities.
New powers and penalties
Drivers caught illegally dumping waste out of their cars could also be slapped with penalty points, which can lead to motorists losing their licence.
Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Emma Reynolds, said: “Waste criminals have been damaging our communities, countryside, environment and economy for too long. This Action Plan sends a clear message: dump illegally and you will face the full consequences.”
She added: “Waste criminals will be forced to join clean up squads and made to pay for the clearing of illegal waste sites. We will give enforcement officers new police-style powers to bring offenders to justice.”
Immediate shutdown powers
As part of a new 10 Point Plan also published, the EA has set out new powers that can shut down an illegal waste operation immediately, with no warning. Any operator who ignores a restriction notice faces up to 51 weeks in prison.
Chief Executive of the Environment Agency, Philip Duffy, said: “Waste crime is not a new issue, but the threat is evolving and our response needs to move up a gear. We will act earlier, faster and smarter by shutting down illegal sites before they become established.”
He emphasised: “We will use our powers decisively to strip rogue operators of their permits, and work with police, HMRC and councils to go after criminal assets. But we can’t fight this battle on our own and will need the public’s eyes and ears to report illegal dumping through Crimestoppers or our incident hotline.”
This crackdown follows recent revelations that ministers were looking at handing the EA and its enforcement officers new powers to disrupt criminals' finances, targeting illegal waste operations more effectively.
